“as free and independent states, they have full power to levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, establish commerce, and to do all other acts and things which independent states may of right do.” these lines from the declaration of independence are an example of the use of a) pathos b) theme c) thesis d) ethos

In my opinion, the correct answer is d) ethos. Jefferson refers to the right of the newly established United States in the broader context of universal rights of all free and independent states; furthermore, he underlies all the presumably just causes that an independent state may engage in, such as matters of war and peace, alliances with other states, free commerce, etc. His phrase "of right" is of utmost importance here - it underlines the ethos, providing a broader context and justifying the United States independence.